Vṛddhi Sandhi — The Strengthened Vowels
वृद्धि संधि
When a Meets e/o or ai/au — NCERT Class 7-8
Key Points to Remember
- ▸Vṛddhi = growth — ai and au are the "grown" (strongest) forms of the vowels
- ▸a/ā + e/ai → ai | a/ā + o/au → au
- ▸Vṛddhi vowels are ai and au — the two diphthongs
- ▸Less common than Guṇa; tested at Class 8 level
Grammar Explained
Vṛddhi Sandhi applies when a or ā is followed by e/ai → ai, or o/au → au. Vṛddhi means "growth/increase" — these are the strengthened (largest) vowels in Sanskrit. Rules: a/ā + e/ai → ai | a/ā + o/au → au
a/ā + e or ai → ai
अ/आ + ए/ऐ → ऐ
एक + एक → एकैक
eka + eka → ekaika
one + one = one by one (e+e→ai? No — this is a+e→ai)
मत + एक्य → मतैक्य
mata + aikya → mataikya
opinion + unity = unity of opinion (a+ai→ai)
महा + ऐश्वर्य → महैश्वर्य
mahā + aiśvarya → mahaiśvarya
great + glory = great glory (ā+ai→ai)
a/ā + o or au → au
अ/आ + ओ/औ → औ
जल + ओघ → जलौघ
jala + ogha → jalaught
water + flood = flood of water (a+o→au)
महा + औषध → महौषध
mahā + auṣadha → mahauṣadha
great + medicine = powerful medicine (ā+au→au)
Exercises (2)
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Apply Vṛddhi Sandhi
1. महा + ऐश्वर्य = ?
Hint: ā + ai → ai
Show answer
महैश्वर्य (mahaiśvarya)
2. महा + औषध = ?
Hint: ā + au → au
Show answer
महौषध (mahauṣadha)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Identify the sandhi type
1. महैश्वर्य uses which sandhi?
Show answer
Vṛddhi
2. Vṛddhi means:
Show answer
growth/increase
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